K-State graduate students showcase impactful research at Capitol Graduate Research Summit

Ten K-State graduate students shared their research with members of the state government at the 2025 Capitol Graduate Research Summit. K-State participants are pictured above with Sen. Brad Starnes. | Download this photo.

By Julia Hall

Graduate School

Ten Kansas State University graduate students presented their research to members of the state government at the 2025 Capitol Graduate Research Summit.

The summit brings together graduate students from Kansas Board of Regents institutions at the Capitol Building to present their research to legislators and other state government members, highlighting the critical role of graduate research in addressing key challenges facing Kansas.

This year, two K-State students received outstanding presentation awards from the Graduate School for their performance at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit: Kathy Gehl, doctoral student in agronomy, St. George; and Conrad Schelkopf, doctoral student in pathobiology, Geneva, Nebraska.

Gehl presented "Dryland grain sorghum for ethanol production: Establishing accurate carbon intensityscores." Her work focuses on the sustainability of rainfed grain sorghum as an ethanol feedstock. This study's results will help strengthen Kansas' renewable energy market by improving the competitiveness of grain sorghum grown by Kansas farmers.

Schelkopf presented "Electronic nose differentiates healthy cattle from cattle experimentally infected with bovine respiratory disease." His research explores implementing on-farm diagnostic tools for the early detection of respiratory disease in cattle. This research supports a healthier food supply and ensures that Kansas consumers have access to high-quality, wholesome beef.

After speaking with legislators, other government officials, and fellow researchers across the state of Kansas, Gehl was surprised to learn that although agriculture is the number one industry in Kansas, there is a knowledge gap regarding grain sorghum production and its role in Kansas agriculture.

"This experience reinforced the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity to share your research and engage with policymakers and the public on issues that directly impact Kansas farmers," Gehl said.

Schelkopf emphasized that policymakers are excited to learn about K-State research and are interested in how they can support these initiatives through funding, legislative action and strategic partnerships.

"It was empowering to be able to discuss the importance of my research with individuals who can enact change on the state level," he said.

Gehl's advice to graduate students presenting their work at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit and similar events is to focus far less on the technical research details and instead highlight the practical impact. Schelkopf added that graduate students should use these events to strengthen their communication skills and expand their professional networks.

"Engaging in these opportunities will open doors for future collaborations and career opportunities," Shelkopf said.

The 2025 Capitol Graduate Research Summit underscored the vital connection between academic research and public policy, showcasing the innovative work being conducted by graduate students to benefit the state of Kansas.

K-State participants were selected based on presentations at the university's Research and the State event in October.

In addition to Gehl and Schelkopf, the following students represented K-State at the 22nd Capitol Graduate Research Summit:

• Nathan Kenney, master's student in kinesiology, Overland Park, presented "Running to a better life, combating exercise intolerance in pulmonary hypertension."
• Noah Renken, master's student in couple and family therapy, Omaha, Nebraska, presented "An exploration of intimate partner violence, dog abuse, and cat abuse perpetration."
• Madison Kessler, doctoral student in plant pathology, Charleston, South Carolina, presented "Influence of row spacing, plant population, and variety selection on sudden death syndrome of soybean in Kansas."
• Zahirul Islam Saddam, doctoral student in chemistry, Narsingdi, Bangladesh, presented "Developing next generation Li-S battery by tuning the active sites of MoS2/rGA catalysts."
• Pedro Henrique Goncalves Pereira de Souza, master's student in grain science, Visconde do Rio Branco, Brazil, presented "Exploring the impact of xylanase sources and dosage on dough and baked product quality."
• Nooshin Darvishinia, doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Isfahan, Iran, presented "VR training for education: Enhancing engagement and practicality in classrooms."
• Roselle Barretto, doctoral student in biological and agricultural engineering, Jose Panganiban, Philippines, presented "Sticky solutions: Hemp proteins for sustainable wood adhesives."
• Nishadini Widanagamage, doctoral student in agronomy, Ganemulla, Sri Lanka, presented "Using biochar and soil wetting bacteria for soil moisture retention."

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